PeterM said:
I cannot believe the lengths some will goto to support a personal decision. Your walk with Jesus is exactly that... yours. Please be obedient to the independent leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life, but do not assume that what is obedience for you is the same for others.
You have certainly been passionate and persuasive in your arguments in this discussion, but as soon as you begin to practice eisegesis, your arguements loose their ability to pursuade. You have the freedom to not consume alcoholic beverages, and to ascribe that to a desire to be holy is good. I stand with you in that pursuit! However, to elevate the simple consumption of alcohol to the level of "sin" is a stretch of the biblical record. In this specific case, it may be sinful for yo uto do so if the Holy Spirit guides you otherwise. For many here, we have not been so led. Each of us must make that choice for ourselves and should be given the freedom to do so without malice from others.
I believe that this discussion has run its course and the mods should consider terminating it as little good can come from further postings.
Obedience is Obedience. The Holy Spirit is not going to tell one that he or she cannot drink something that will destroy his or her body and turn around and tell another it is ok to drink and destroy your body. The Holy Spirit is not divided against itself.
I have used scripture to interpret scripture. I have showed where the consumption of alcohol is forbidden. I have yet to see where it is allowed.
Tell me... is God a respector of persons? Will He tell me through the Word of God that any amount of consumption by a believer is sin, and not tell all other believers? I don't believe He would. If He did, that would make Him a wishy-washy God.
His Word emphatically tells us 'Look thou not.' Do not have anything to do with it. Yet, those who lust after it seem to ignore that verse. And those who do not drink and yet say it is ok either have a family member, or a friend that they are afraid of losing fellowship with, or just do not believe God's Holy Word in the matter.
Fermented beverage throughout the Word of God is associated with death and destruction. It is said to be the 'venom of asps'. The venom of asps kills. Just as the alcohol kills. It kills brain cells, it immobilizes normal body functions.
God's Word is true. It states that wine mocks, it states that strong drink rages. It states that the two drinks decieve, and that those who are decieved by it are not wise. When one advocates the drinking of alcohol, one has been deceived by it.